Employee Fringe Benefits

Brunswick County employees are the county’s most valuable asset. Therefore, it is the county’s desire to offer a very rich and generous menu of fringe benefits. Employees should regularly review booklets, brochures, publications, and notices to stay abreast of changes that may affect benefits. The county Human Resources staff are always available to answer benefit questions.

Probationary Period

All new employees of the county will be on a probationary period for a minimum of three (3) months, but not to exceed nine (9) months.

Pay Checks and Direct Deposit

Employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are required to deposit their paycheck into the bank account of their choice through direct deposit. Funds are available the first banking day following pay day.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Employees accrue annual leave monthly and may use accrued leave upon approval after the probationary period is completed. There is a maximum accumulation of 240 hours per year. Hours over 240 are converted to a Sick Leave at the end of the calendar year. Years of service transferred from eligible NC Governmental Agencies (written documentation required) and the employee’s work schedule are used to determine the rate of earning.

Petty Leave

Employees earn fourteen (14) hours per calendar year. May use in increments of 15 minutes. Leave is pro-rated based as of date of hire in the first calendar year of employment. Petty leave must be used within the calendar year.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) requires employers to provide up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to “eligible” employees for qualifying medical and family reasons. Paid leave can be substituted for unpaid leave upon approval. Must be employed with Brunswick County at least 12 months and actively worked 1250 hours in the 12 months prior to the leave request or designation.

Employee Assistance Program

Telephone consultation and online access 24 hours 7 days a week. Call 1-888-293-6948. Includes (3) face to face assessments and counseling sessions at no cost.

Holidays Observed

Brunswick County government offices will be closed during the following holidays:

Holiday Schedule - per calendar published annually

New Year's Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

Good Friday

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veteran's Day

Thanksgiving Day & Day After Thanksgiving

Christmas (3 work days)

Weekend Holidays: When a designated holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed, and when the holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed.

Longevity Pay

Longevity is paid on the payroll in which the employee’s anniversary date falls. Years of service transferred to Brunswick County from other NC Governmental Units (written documentation required) is used to determine rate.

Years of Service

Longevity Rate

5 but less than 10 years

1.00%

10 but less than 15 years

1.50%

15 but less than 20 years

2.25%

20 but less than 25 years

3.25%

25 or more years

4.50%

Retiree Health Insurance

Eligibility for retiree health insurance is based on date of hire and service as defined below. Retiring employees must make an election to continue or terminate coverage at the time of their retirement. If they waive the right to continue coverage at the date of retirement, they may not elect coverage at a future date.

Hire Date

Service Requirements

Benefits

Hired on or before 12/31/2011

10 years creditable service with retirement system or, if disability retirement, 5 years creditable service with retirement system.

Own health insurance at no cost to age 65. Dependent coverage offered at cost consistent with active employee premiums. Medicare Supplement at age 65+.

Hired/Rehired on or after 1/1/2012

At least 10 years continuous creditable service with Brunswick County or 15 years of total creditable service with Brunswick County or, if disability retirement, 5 years continuous creditable service with Brunswick County.

Continue own health insurance to age 65 at cost consistent with active employee premiums. Dependent coverage offered at cost consistent with active employee premiums. Medicare Supplement at age 65+, cost share based on years of service with Brunswick County: 25+ years - 100% paid by County. 15-24 years - 75% paid by County. 10-14 years - 50% paid by County.

Hired/Rehired on or after 7/1/2015

At least 10 years continuous creditable service with Brunswick County or 15 years of total creditable service with Brunswick County or, if disability retirement, 5 years continuous creditable service with Brunswick County.

Continue own health insurance to age 65 at cost consistent with active employee premiums. No dependent coverage available. Health insurance for pre-65 retirees cost share based on total years of service with NC Retirement System: 25+ years - retiree premium same as active employees. 15-24 years - retiree pays 25% of individual premium cost. 10-14 years - retiree pays 50% of individual premium cost. 5 years of service (disability retirement only) - retiree pays 50% of individual premium cost. Medicare Supplement at age 65+, cost share based on total years of service with NC Retirement System: 25+ years - retiree premium same as active employees. 15-24 years - retiree pays 25% of individual premium cost. 10-14 years - retiree pays 50% of individual premium cost. 5 years of service (disability retirement only) - retiree pays 50% of individual premium cost.

Full time employees are eligible to participate in the NC Local Governmental Employees Retirement System on the date of employment. Mandatory contribution of 6%. County also contributes to the plan. Vested at 5 years as a contributing member. After one year contributing membership in the system, a death benefit is available if you die while still in active service or within 180 days of your last day of service.

NC 401(k) Plan (Supplemental Retirement Plan)

Full time employees are enrolled in the pre-tax 401(k) plan upon hire. Brunswick County automatically contributes 5% as of the first day of employment.

Additionally, employees may make additional contributions in the following options:

Traditional Plan Option (Pre-tax Contribution) – Employees may make pre-tax contributions up to the annual limit. If you are age 50 or older, you are eligible for a catch-up contribution which has an annual limit.

Roth Plan Option (After-tax contribution) – Employees may opt for additional after tax contributions. The County does not make a contribution to the after-tax plan.

457 Deferred Compensation Plan (Supplemental Retirement Plan)

Any employee may enroll in this voluntary pre-tax supplemental retirement plan offered through Nationwide.

UNUM Life Insurance (Term Life Coverage)

For You – You may add to your Basic Life by purchasing Supplemental Life Insurance coverage*. You may elect $10,000 – $150,000 of coverage. You pay the full cost for your election.

For Your Dependents – You may choose to purchase Spouse Supplemental Life Insurance in the amount of $10,000*. You may choose to purchase Child Supplemental Life Insurance in the amount of $5,000 on each of your eligible dependent children* (from age 15 days up to age 26).

*Satisfactory evidence of insurability is required for all amounts of supplemental life insurance after your initial enrollment period.

Coverage

Monthly Cost

Employee Optional Life

$.285 per $1,000 of coverage

Spouse Dependent Life

$2.46 per employee

Child Dependent Life (covers all eligible children)

$1.20 per employee

Family Dependent Life

$3.66 per employee

Long Term Disability – County Paid

Offered through The Standard Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered on the first day of the month following the 30th day of employment. Plan has a 180-day elimination period, meaning you must be disabled (as defined by the plan) for a period of 6 months before you can apply for this benefit. Once approved, the plan pays 60% of pre-disability earnings reduced by other sources of income.

Short Term Disability

Offered through VOYA, post-tax, paid by the employee. Optional income replacement benefit plan available to employee only.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care administered by Flexible Benefits Administrators and paid by the employee.

Vision

Optional vision plan available for coverage for frames/lenses/contact lenses for employee and family members.

Universal Life Insurance

Offered through Trustmark, post tax, paid by the employee.

This is an optional portable permanent life insurance plan available to employee and dependents. Universal life provides flexible benefits, allowing employees to adjust their death benefit, cash value and premiums as their financial needs change.

Critical Illness with Specified Disease (including cancer)

Offered through VOYA, post tax, paid by the employee. Optional critical illness and specified disease plan available to employee and dependents. Premiums based on level of coverage and age.